Go Country celebrates 4th anniversary in style

House of Blues Anaheim was absolutely packed wall-to-wall Saturday night, with everyone ready to party at Go Country 105's 4th Anniversary Show featuring singer-songwriter James Otto, the sweet and fiery JaneDear Girls, Huntington Beach artist Peter Brandon and radio newbies the Dirt Drifters.

Otto performed a stripped-down set on acoustic guitar, settling in on a barstool next to his guitarist and bassist. He has an amazing voice but with the absence of a full band, his performance lacked the gusto this drinking 'n' dancing crowd really wanted.

Most people were polite, though some were extremely rude, talking loudly and carrying on, treating Otto like nothing more than roadhouse jukebox static during the mellow yet moving “Soldiers & Jesus.” Perhaps these slower tracks -- including one he co-wrote with Jamey Johnson, “In Color” -- would have gone over better in a venue where the audience was seated rather than stuffed into a general-admission venue.

One female fan leaned over and asked, “Why is he headlining?” Good question. With a full band, Otto's night-ending set would made sense. But to come out quiet after the booty-shakin', boot-scootin' performance the JaneDear girls had just delivered -- well, it was an odd choice.

Otto eventually livened up a bit, however, covering Bob Seger's “Night Moves,” though he dragged that one out about two minutes too long. He also got the crowd stirring a bit with “It's a Good Time (For a Good Time)” and a mashed-up rendition of “Shake What God Gave You” that included samples of Nelly's “Hot in Herre” and the Rolling Stones' “You Can't Always Get What You Want.”

He also shared some meaningful stories between songs, but this just wasn't the right forum. He's an extremely likeable, talented guy, but mid-set people began to bail.

The fun, flirty and rockin' JaneDear Girls, on the other hand, should have played for an hour. Susie Brown (pictured) commands attention in the spotlight with her Bettie Page hairdo, high heels and red lipstick; the girl delivered her lyrics with a sassy attitude that had boys swooning. Danelle Leverette just straight-up rocked and at one point shook everything God gave her during “Merry Go Round,” an upbeat, stompin'-strong track that has traces of Big & Rich all over it. (Makes sense, considering John Rich produced the Girls' new self-titled debut.)

“Shotgun Girl” was another crowd-pleaser, and the ladies slowed things down a little with “Saturdays in September.” Brown even took on a cover of her idol Pat Benatar's “Hit Me with Your Best Shot,” which she nailed.

At one point the crowd began to chant “Wildflower,” the single that launched the JaneDear Girls into the spotlight and helped garner them a recent ACM nomination. The room went nuts when they launched into the tune; it was hilarious to watch a bunch of grown men in cowboy hats singing along loudly to the refrain “Ohhh, ohhh, I'm a wildflower.”

Local country boy Brandon and his band were stronger this night, though they really should stop playing that countrified version of Ozzy Osbourne's “Crazy Train.” His cover of Cheap Trick's “I Want You to Want Me” is also just blah, though this crowd didn't care; they knew it, so they sang along anyway.

Brandon would be better off focusing on his own tunes. His patriotic track “In the Name of Freedom,” which he belted out beautifully and sincerely, went over well, and “The Great Indoors” also seemed to be a fan favorite; he looked like he was having a lot of fun with it up on stage.

Newly signed Nashville quintet the Dirt Drifters set a good mood for the event, kicking it off with a blend of country, rock and a dash of funk. If the group's goal was to get this audience to attempt to line dance in a tightly confined space -- and toast with plastic cups filled with what smelled like whiskey -- all within the first 10 minutes, then mission accomplished.

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